Wednesday, December 09, 2020

Abnormal Runway Contact: Learjet 35A, N721EC; Accident occurred February 29, 2020 at Altoona–Blair County Airport (KAOO), Pennsylvania







Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board 

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Allegheny, Pennsylvania

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:

East Coast Jets Inc


Location: Altoona, PA 
Accident Number: ERA20CA120
Date & Time: 02/29/2020, 1235 EST
Registration:N721EC 
Aircraft: Learjet 35
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Abnormal runway contact
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Positioning 

Analysis

The flight crew reported that, after an instrument landing system approach and during the landing flare, the airplane encountered a strong wind gust that pushed the airplane toward the edge of the runway, so they initiated a go-around. During the go-around, the left-wing tip tank struck the runway. The flight crew diverted to another airport where the weather conditions were more favorable, and after landing, examination of the airplane revealed that the left wing had sustained substantial damage. The calculated crosswind component was 18 knots at the time of landing. According to the Airplane Flight Manual, the maximum demonstrated crosswind component was 24.7 knots.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot flying improper lateral bank control during a go-around in gusting wind conditions, which resulted in the left-wing tip tank striking the runway.

Findings

Personnel issues Aircraft control - Pilot
Aircraft Lateral/bank control - Not attained/maintained
Environmental issues Gusts - Effect on operation

Factual Information

History of Flight

Landing-flare/touchdown Other weather encounter
Landing-flare/touchdown Loss of control on ground
Approach-VFR go-around Abnormal runway contact (Defining event)

Pilot Information

Certificate: Airline Transport; Flight Instructor
Age: 57, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane Single-engine; Instrument Airplane
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 1 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 02/11/2020
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 10/11/2019
Flight Time:   6240 hours (Total, all aircraft), 1750 hours (Total, this make and model), 5495 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 114 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 79 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 1 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Co-Pilot Information

Certificate: Airline Transport
Age: 70, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Right
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present:Yes 
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 1 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 04/23/2019
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 08/30/2019
Flight Time:   33000 hours (Total, all aircraft), 3750 hours (Total, this make and model), 26210 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 50 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 19 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 1 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Learjet
Registration: N721EC
Model/Series: 35 A
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1980
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Transport
Serial Number: 355
Landing Gear Type: Retractable - Tricycle
Seats: 10
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 08/22/2019, Continuous Airworthiness
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 18001 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 2 Turbo Fan
Airframe Total Time: 14859 Hours at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: Honeywell
ELT: C126 installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: TFE731-2C-2B
Registered Owner: East Coast Jets Inc.
Rated Power: 3500 lbs
Operator:East Coast Jets Inc 
Operating Certificate(s) Held: On-demand Air Taxi (135)

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Instrument Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: AOO, 1503 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1235 EST
Direction from Accident Site: 0°
Lowest Cloud Condition:
Visibility:  
Lowest Ceiling: Broken / 1600 ft agl
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 15 knots / 20 knots
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: 300°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 29.93 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: -4°C / -9°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: Light - Snow
Departure Point: Allentown, PA (ABE)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: IFR
Destination: Altoona, PA (AOO)
Type of Clearance: IFR
Departure Time: 1206 EST
Type of Airspace: Class E

Airport Information

Airport: Altoona-Blair County (AOO)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 1503 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 21
IFR Approach: ILS
Runway Length/Width: 5465 ft / 100 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: None

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 2 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 None
Latitude, Longitude: 40.296389, -78.320000 (est)

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